Smokable Pulverized Leaf Structure

ABSTRACT

A smokable pulverized leaf structure consisting of a smokable cylinder and a mold for producing the smokable cylinder. The smokable cylinder is made of one hundred-percent (100%) pulverized leaf, such as tobacco or  cannabis . The mold has a plurality of plates that are maintained together in a geometric form by at least one strap. A rod is inserted into the mold and then a quantity of pulverized leaf is poured into the mold. Once the leaf is within the mold, a press is utilized to apply pressure around the mold, thus compressing the pulverized leaf within. After the pressure is applied the rod is removed. Additional pulverized leaf is then inserted into the space created when the rod is removed. With the space filled, a solid smokable cylinder of pulverized leaf, which does not require a wrapper to remain intact, is created.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention generally pertains to tobacco or other substance smokingdevices, and more particularly to a wrapper-less smokable structure madeof a pulverized leaf substance.

BACKGROUND ART

Although smoking cigarettes and other tobacco products is on thedecline, there are many people throughout the world who still smoke. Inthe United States and certain other countries it is anticipated that apreviously illegal leaf product will soon be legalized for smoking orother uses. In some countries it is already legal.

One of the most predominant concerns of people who smoke manufacturedcigarettes is that multiple additives, some of which are harmful to aperson's health, are present in the cigarettes. The possibility thatthis will occur when the currently illegal substance is legalized isalso a concern too smokers. Many smokers feel that the optimal smokingexperience occurs when using a pure pulverized leaf substance preferablyin a pipe which removes the need for any type of wrapper.

Typically, a wrapper is made of paper, which is known as cigarettepaper, and is used to maintain the tobacco or other pulverized leafsubstance in a tube-like structure for smoking. All manufacturedcigarettes utilize a wrapper, and people who “roll their own” cigarettesalso use a wrapper. The only purpose of the wrapper is to maintain thetobacco or pulverized leaf in cohesive structure that can be lit andinhaled from.

It would be extremely beneficial to provide a smokable structure thatdoes not require a wrapper and is made entirely of pulverized leaf.Optimally, the structure would allow manufactured cigarettes to beprovided without a wrapper, and would allow individuals to provide theirown wrapper-less cigarettes when desired. A wrapper-less pulverized leafsmokable structure would also preferably be made of one hundred-percent(100%) pulverized leaf, without any additives or chemicals, which aretypically extremely harmful.

A search of the prior art did not disclose nay literature or patentsthat read directly on the claims of the instant invention. However, thefollowing U.S. patents are considered related:

PATENT NO. INVENTOR ISSUED 1,073,422 Kattar 16 Sep. 1913 4,481,954 Lukeet al 13 Nov. 1984 4,691,717 Ikeda et al 8 Sep. 1987 9,032,970 Szarvas19 May 2015

The U.S. Pat. No. 1,073,422 patent discloses cigarette made with along-fiber tobacco filling in which long shreds of tobacco are arrangedlongitudinally, forming a compact mass within the wrapper. The fibers ofa protrusion of the filling extend slightly beyond the ends of thewrapper. This protrusion is desirable in that it renders the roll orstick at the ends slightly less compact in texture than that which isdirectly within the wrapper. Thus causing the products of combustionpassing through the other end to expand and cool.

The U.S. Pat. No. 4,481,954 patent discloses a method for modifying theperipheral conformation of a cigarette, which has an external, heatdeformable, wrapper comprising a proportion of thermoplastic fibers orfilaments. Heat is applied to the wrapper by a heat forming means movedrelatively and in contact with the cigarette, in a direction transverseto the longitudinal axis of the cigarette.

The U.S. Pat. No. 4,691,717 patent discloses a cigarette that is coveredwith a sheath made of material which does not generate any appreciableamount of smoke when the cigarette is sucked but burns when thecigarette is sucked. The material is made of starch, agar, gelatin or amixture thereof.

The U.S. Pat. No. 9,032,970 patent discloses a highly efficientcigarette filter in which materials of natural origin not used beforeare applied. The cigarette filter can be used for absorbing the toxiccomponents of the cigarette smoke, and neutralizing the free radicalsproduced during burning of the cigarette.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In its basic design the smokable pulverized leaf structure is comprisedof a smokable cylinder made entirely of one hundred percent (100%)pulverized leaf, and a mold for producing the smokable cylinder. The onehundred-percent (100%) pulverized leaf can consist of any smokable leafsuch as tobacco or cannabis. The mold comprises a plurality of platesthat are maintained together in a geometric form by at least one strap.A rod is inserted into the mold and then a quantity of pulverized leafis poured into the mold. Once the leaf is within the mold, a press isutilized to apply pressure around the mold, thus compressing thepulverized leaf within. After the pressure is applied, the rod isremoved. Additional pulverized leaf is then inserted into the spacecreated when the rod was removed. With the space filled, a solidsmokable cylinder is created. If desired a filter can be attached toeither end of the smokable cylinder. The filter can be made entirely ofpulverized leaf as with the smokable cylinder, or the filter can be madeof a conventional cellulose fiber material and attached to the smokablecylinder by an attachment means such ad an adhesive or a press-fit.

In an alternate design, for greater manufacturing quantity, a mold canbe made that produces an elongated smokable cylinder. Whatever desiredlength of each smokable cylinder can then be cut from the elongatedcylinder.

The benefits of the structure are that either individuals or companiescan use the inventive concept to produce a smokable structure. The moldcould be sold as a single unit to an individual for making smokablecylinders at home, or the mold design could be adaptable to large-scaleproduction of smokable cylinders. When used at home, a person can besure that the pulverized leaf they are using is one hundred-percent(100%) free of additives and/or chemicals.

In view of the above disclosure the primary object of the invention isto produce a smokable pulverized leaf structure that allows awrapper-less smokable cylinder of pulverized leaf to be quickly andeasily created.

In addition to the primary object of the invention, it is also an objectof the invention to produce a smokable pulverized leaf structure that:

-   -   utilizes a mold that is easy to use,    -   can produce smokable cylinders of pulverized leaf in any size        desired or required,    -   can utilize multiple methods of manufacture,    -   can produce smokable cylinders from any type of smokable leaf,    -   can save a smoker a significant amount of money by producing        their own smokable cylinders,    -   allows a person to know exactly what type of smokable leaf is        utilized, and to know that no additives or chemicals have been        included,    -   creates a more personal smoking experience,    -   can include a mouthpiece that is either also made of pulverized        leaf, or is a conventional synthetic material, and    -   is cost effective from both a manufacturer's and consumer's        point of view.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the subsequent detailed description of thepreferred embodiment and the appended claims taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational side view of a smokable structure made ofpulverized leaf.

FIG. 2 is an elevational side view of a mold comprising rectangularplates held together by two straps.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the mold having a contour opening with a solidrod inserted into the opening.

FIG. 4 is an elevational side view of the mold with an integral funnelabove the opening.

FIG. 5 is an elevational side view of the mold with a separate funnelplaced above the opening.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the mold with pulverized leaf inserted into thecontour opening around the solid rod.

FIG. 7 is an elevational side view of the mold having a hollow tube withpulverized leaf within the tube placed above the opening and a solidtube rod placed above the hollow tube prior to be inserted into thehollow tube thereby forcing the pulverized, leaf within the tube intothe opening.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a mold comprising four plates, each with a90-degree arc cut into a corner section.

FIG. 9 is a top view of mold comprising two plates, each with a180-degree arc cut into an inner side.

FIG. 10 is an elevational side view of a smokable structure with amouthpiece attached.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms thatdisclose a smokable pulverized leaf structure. There have long beenobjects that facilitate the smoking of a crushed or pulverized leafsubstance. These objects include pipes, wrapping paper (which is alsoknown as cigarette paper) and, in the case of a cigar, a tobacco leafwrapper. Rolled cigarettes became and are still the most widely utilizedobject for smoking tobacco and other leaf substances. This is becausecigarettes, whether manufactured or self-rolled, are a quick andconvenient facilitates for smoking. Many people though would prefer tosmoke a leaf substance in a pipe in order to enjoy just the leafsubstance without the paper wrapper.

The structure disclosed herein provides an alternative that offers theconvenience of a cigarette without the paper or any other type ofwrapper. The smokable structure allows a smoker to inhale only the leafsubstance and to know exactly what is added to, or not added to, theleaf substance. This is important because manufactured cigarettes havemultiple additives, many of which are deemed harmful to a person'shealth.

The structure 10, as shown in FIGS. 1-10, includes a smokable cylinder12, and a mold 26 that facilitates the manufacture of the smokablecylinder. Methods for utilizing the mold 26 are also disclosed. Thesmokable cylinder 12 comprises an outer surface 14, a first end 16 and asecond end 18. In the preferred embodiment, the smokable cylinder 12 ismade entirely of a pulverized leaf 22 substance, as shown in FIG. 1.

In order to create the smokable cylinder 12, the mold 26 is utilized. Asshown in FIGS. 2-7, the mold 26 is preferably comprised of four plates28 which are made of a hard material such as metal or plastic. Thedimensions of the plates 28 can vary depending on the desired size ofthe smokable structure 12.

The four plates 28 are rectangular shaped and are placed adjacent toeach other, thereby forming a rectangle with an upper surface and alower surface consisting of the four plates 28. It should be noted thatwhile four rectangular plates are preferred, other embodiments utilizingmultiple plates of various geometric shapes can also be effectivelyused.

At least one strap 30 is placed around the plates 28 to maintain theshape and position of the plates. The strap 30 can be made of anydurable material, and the length of each strap 30 is determined by thedimensions of the plates 28. Once at least one strap 30 is in placedaround the plates 28, a first opening 32 is created preferably bydrilling longitudinally down through the center of the upper surface ofthe plates 28, wherein the center is the location where the four plates28 intersect. In an alternate design, each of the four plates has acorner section cut into a 90-degree arc 5L, as shown in FIG. 8. When thefour plates are placed together and the four cut corner sectionsintersect, a 360-degree circular opening is created. Also, only twoplates could be utilized, with each plate having a 180-degree arc 56, asshown in FIG. 9.

A second opening 34 is created at the lower surface/base of the plates.A solid metal rod 36 is inserted into the second opening 34. Thedimensions (diameter) of both the solid rod and second opening can varydepending on desired thickness of the smokable structure. Once thesesteps are completed, the mold 26 is created.

A funnel 42 is utilized to pour the pulverized leaf 22 into the mold 26via the opening. The funnel 42 can be either integrally attached to themold 26, as shown in FIG. 4, or the funnel 42 can be a separatecomponent that is placed above the opening for use, as shown in FIG. 5.During this process the mold 26 can be vibrated to ensure the pulverizedleaf 22 completely fills the mold 26.

Once the mold 26 is filled with the pulverized leaf 22, the mold isplaced on a press. The press consists of a hollow tube 38. The press isdesigned so that the hollow tube 38, which is made of hard material suchas metal, or plastic, fits between the mold 26 and the solid rod 36.Once the hollow tube 38 is in place, pressure is applied around the mold36, either manually or by mechanical/powered means, thereby compressingthe pulverized leaf 22.

After pressure is applied and the pulverized leaf is compressed, thesolid rod 36 is removed from the center of the mold 26. At this point, ahard shell 44 of compressed pulverized leaf is left within the mold 26.If desired at this point, to increase the structural integrity of thesmokable structure, a binding agent 46 (not shown) such as wax, an oil,honey, sugar and water, or flour can be applied to the shell ofpulverized leaf.

Continuing, a hollow tube 38 is placed above the shell 44, as shown inFIG. 7. The hollow tube 38 is filled with additional pulverized leaf. Asolid tube rod 40 is then inserted into the hollow tube 38. The solidtube rod 40 is pushed downward thereby forcing the pulverized leafwithin the hollow tube 38 into the shell 44, thereby creating a solidsmokable structure 12, as shown in FIG. 1.

The strap(s) 30 are then removed and the plates pulled off, therebyopening the mold 26 and revealing the smokable cylinder 12 in the formof a solid rod of pulverized leaf. If desired, an additional, or first,binding agent can be applied to the outer surface 14 of the smokablestructure. A person can now light either the first end 16 or the secondend 18 of the smokable cylinder 12 and inhale, as with a conventionalpaper-wrapped cigarette.

The above disclosed steps are the preformed method of producing thesmokable cylinder. There are other methods and/or embodimentscontemplated which are equally effective for producing a smokablecylinder. For example, a two-piece mold made of a resilient materialthat comprises and opening therethrough. In this design, the pulverizedleaf substance is inserted into the opening and pressure is applied.There is no center rod within the opening. Preferably a binding agent isutilized to increase the smokable structure's ability to maintaincircular shape. And, while a circular shape smokable structure ispreferred, the invention is not limited to this shape. Any geometricshape smokable structure can be created by altering the shape of theopening in the mold.

In another alternate method, instead of utilizing a multi-component moldthat is opened after pressure is applied, a mold that allows a smokablestructure to be manually or automatically pushed outward from theopening and cut at a desired length can be utilized. This type of moldcould be made in a relatively larger size to produce a single smokablestructure that can be cut at various locations to product multiplesmokable structures.

And, in a final alternate method, the pulverized leaf is ran through ascreen, which can be of various mesh sizes to allow for uniformity ofand various sizes of leaf to be produced and utilized. After the leafpasses through the screen, a binding agent is applied to maintain theshape and integrity of the final smokable cylinder. One of thepre-disclosed mold designs is utilized, with the components of the moldthat come into contact with the leaf, coated with Teflon or a similarsubstance that will reduce sticking of the leaf to the components. Thepulverized leaf is inserted into the mold via a funnel and an augerapplies downward pressure. By this method, various amounts of pressurecan be applied to the pulverized leaf. I-Teat is then applied, whichhardens the pulverized leaf, thereby creating a smokable cylinder with ahard outer shell/surface when the leaf is extruded.

To add to the utility and improve the smoking experience for somepeople, a mouthpiece 50, as shown in FIG. 10, can be utilized. Themouthpiece 50 is also made of a pulverized leaf 22 substance, andconsist of a cylindrical tube that is preferably hardened with a bindingagent. The mouthpiece 50 is dimensioned to fit onto and be frictionallymaintained on one end of the smokable cylinder. The mouthpiece 50 can beutilized as a hollow design, or a smokable non-pulverized piece of leafcan be wrapped around a filter and attached to the smokable cylinder 12.Additionally, a conventional cigarette mouthpiece/holder, which istypically made of hard material such as plastic, can be utilized.

While the invention has been described in detail and pictorially shownin the accompanying drawings it is not to be limited to such details,since many changes and modification may be made to the invention withoutdeparting from the spirit and the scope thereof. Hence, it is describedto cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within thelanguage and scope of the claims.

1. A smokable pulverized leaf structure (SPLS) comprising a smokablecylinder made of pulverized leaf and a mold for manufacturing saidsmokable cylinder, wherein said SPLS provides a person with the abilityto smoke a pulverized leaf structure that is made entirely of pulverizedleaf, without a requirement of a paper wrapper or the inclusion ofadditives or chemicals to the pulverized leaf.
 2. The smokablepulverized leaf structure as specified in claim 1 wherein said smokablecylinder has a geometric shape.
 3. The smokable pulverized leafstructure as specified in claim 1 wherein said pulverized leaf iscomprised of tobacco.
 4. The smokable pulverized leaf structure asspecified in claim 1 wherein said pulverized leaf is comprised ofcannabis.
 5. A smokable pulverized leaf structure (SPLS) that provides aperson with the ability to smoke a pulverized leaf structure that ismade entirely of pulverized leaf, without a requirement of a paperwrapper surrounding the pulverized leaf or the inclusion of additives orchemicals to the pulverized leaf, wherein said SPLS is comprised of: a)a smokable cylinder having an outer surface, a first end, and a secondend, and b) a mold for manufacturing said smokable cylinder, whereinsaid mold comprises a plurality of plates that are placed adjacent toeach other, forming a geometric enclosure with an upper surface and alower surface; at least one strap that is placed around the plates tomaintain the shape and position of the plates; a first opening thatextends downward longitudinally through the plates at the center of theupper surface, where the plates intersect; a second opening at the lowersurface of the plates; and a rod that is inserted into the secondopening, wherein a quantity of pulverized leaf is inserted into saidmold via the first opening, wherein once the pulverized leaf isinserted, said mold is placed on a press where pressure is applied,wherein after the pressure is applied, the solid rod is removed, and ahollow tube is placed above a hard shell of compressed pulverized leafwithin said mold, wherein a hollow tube filled with pulverized leaf isplaced above the shell, and a solid rod is inserted into the hollow tubeto push the pulverized leaf within the tube into the shell, wherein saidmold is then removed, exposing a solid smokable cylinder of pulverizedleaf.
 6. The smokable pulverized leaf structure as specified in claim 6wherein said smokable cylinder has a geometric shape.
 7. The smokablepulverized leaf structure as specified in claim 6 wherein saidpulverized leaf is comprised of tobacco.
 8. The smokable pulverized leafstructure as specified in claim 6 wherein said pulverized leaf iscomprised of cannabis.
 9. The smokable pulverized leaf structure asspecified in claim 6 wherein said pulverized leaf is comprised of acombination of various types of smokable pulverized leaves.
 10. Thesmokable pulverized leaf structure as specified in claim 6 wherein theplurality of plates is comprised of four plates.
 11. The smokablepulverized leaf structure as specified in claim 6 wherein each saidplate is made of a metal or plastic.
 12. The smokable pulverized leafstructure as specified in claim 6 wherein the length of the platesdetermines the size of said smokable cylinder.
 13. The smokablepulverized leaf structure as specified in claim 6 wherein the length ofeach said at least one strap is determined by the dimension of thegeometrically arranged plates.
 14. The smokable pulverized leafstructure as specified in claim 6 further comprising a binding agentthat is applied to the shell of pulverized leaf to increase thestructural integrity of the shell.
 15. The smokable pulverized leafstructure as specified in claim 15 wherein the binding agent is made ofa substance selected from the group consisting of wax, an oil, honey,sugar and water, or flour.
 16. The smokable pulverized leaf structure asspecified in claim 6 further comprising a funnel that is utilized toinsert the pulverized leaf into the first opening, wherein the funnelextends upward from the first opening and is integrally attached to saidmold or is a separate component.
 17. The smokable pulverized leafstructure as specified in claim 11 further comprising each of the fourplates having a corner section cut into a 90-degree arc, wherein whenthe four plates are placed together and the cut corner sectionsintersect, a 260-degree circular opening is created.
 18. The smokablepulverized leaf structure as specified in claim 6 further comprising amouthpiece that is dimensioned to fit onto sand be frictionallymaintained on one end of the smokable cylinder, wherein the mouthpieceis made of pulverized leaf, preferably with a binding agent to maintainthe shape of the mouthpiece.
 19. The smokable pulverized leaf structureas specified in claim 6 further comprising a screen having a mesh of aselectable size through which the pulverized leaf passes to selectivelycontrol the size and uniformity of the pulverized leaf.
 20. The smokablepulverized leaf structure as specified in claim 6 further comprisingheat that is applied to the pulverized leaf that is inside or outsidethe mold, wherein the heat functions to harden the leaf, therebyproducing a smokable cylinder with a hard outer surface.